INFOKIT
1. Brunei Darussalam
Capital: Bandar Seri Begawan
Total land area: 5,765 sq.km
Total Population: 422,678 (in 2016)
Population by race:
Malays: 66% (277,700 people)
Chinese: 10% (43,554 people)
Others: 24% (101,424 people)
Population by age:
0-14: 22% (94,239 people) 15-64: 72% (303,618 people)
64 and over: 6% (24,821 people)
National day: 23 February
Brunei’s Proclamation 1 January 1984 to independence:
Renaming of Bandar 4 October 1970 Brunei to Bandar Seri Begawan
1.1 Brief History
Brunei Darussalam is situated on the north-west coast of the island of Borneo where historical findings suggest that the Brunei Kingdom began more than 1,500 years ago, pre-dating Islam. Its earliest existence was believed to be a
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tributary province of the Java-based Majapahit Empire. After the disintegration of the Majapahit Empire, Brunei rulers took charge of their own territorial responsibility.
Ancient Chinese texts reffered Brunei to as either Puni or Puli and documented interactions with the Chinese Empire in the years 518, 523, 616, 669, 977, 1279 and 1369-1643 AD.
Imperial Chinese texts also indicated the Muslim influence was established in Brunei as early as 977 AD, and the employment of Arabic characters in Brunei's written language, hitherto Sanskrit, started before 1370. Imperial Chinese texts noted that Brunei's King named Awang Alak Betatar embraced the Islamic faith in 1371 in conjunction with his marriage to a princess from a neighbouring kingdom. The Chinese people who came to Bunei in 1370 said that Brunei was ruled by an Islamic ruler known as Ma-ha-mo-sha or Sultan Muhammad Shah. Consequently, Sultan Muhammad Shah is the Islamic name of Awang Alak Betatar. As a territory administered by a Muslim government, subsequent Brunei sovereigns became known as sultans.
2. Kampong Ayer
For many generations, Kampong Ayer was the hub of Brunei’s economic and cultural activities. Not only was it the administrative and governing centre of the Brunei Empire, the “Venice of the East” was also a highly significant port in the region.
During the glorious reign of Sultan Bolkiah (1485-1524), Kampong Ayer covered the whole area of Pulau Brunei (Borneo) and a large area of what is now Philippines. The Brunei people controlled most of the trade transactions that went on at Brunei Port, trading local goods such as camphor, cinnamon, pearl, diamonds, gold, honeycomb, perfumes, lime and food products.
The largest water village in the world, Kampong Ayer is made up of five Mukims (wards), namely:-
1. Mukim Saba (comprising of 4 villages):- a. Kampong Saba Darat b. Kampong Saba Tengah c. Kampong Saba Ujong d. Kampong Saba Laut
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2. Mukim Sungai Kebun (comprising of 6 villages):- a. Kampong Sungai Kebun b. Kampong Ujong Klinik dan Kampong Sungai Siamas c. Kampong Setia ‘A’ d. Kampong Setia ‘B’ e. Kampong Bolkiah ‘A’ f. Kampong Bolkiah ‘B’
3. Mukim Peramu (comprising of 7 villages):- a. Kampong Peramu b. Kampong Bakut Pengiran Siraja Muda ‘A’ c. Kampong Bakut Pengiran Siraja Muda ‘B’ d. Kampong Bakut Berumput e. Kampong Lurong Sikuna f. Kampong Setia Pahlawan Lama g. Kampong Pekilong Muara
4. Mukim Burong Pingai Ayer (comprising of 7 villages):- a. Kampong Burong Pingai Ayer b. Kampong Lurong Dalam c. Kampong Pandai Besi ‘A’ d. Kampong Sungai Pandan ‘A’ e. Kampong Sungai Pandan ‘B’ f. Kampong Pengiran Setia Negara g. Kampong Pekan Lama
5. Mukim Tamoi (comprising of 7 villages):- a. Kampong Tamoi Ujong b. Kampong Tamoi Tengah c. Kampong Pengiran Tajuddin Hitam d. Kampong Pengiran Kerma Indera Lama e. Kampong Pengiran Bendahara Lama f. Kampong Limbongan (no longer has any residents) g. Kampong Ujong Bukit (no longer has any residents)
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The table below shows the total population of kampong Ayer (as of 2017):-
Penduduk Tempat Kediaman
Population Living Quarters
Mukim
Jumlah Jumlah Didiami Kosong
Total Total Occupied Vacant
Mukim Burong 1586 248 221 27 Pingai Ayer
Mukim Saba 748 134 125 9
Mukim Sungai 5149 720 605 115 Kebun
Mukim 835 153 129 24 Peramu
Mukim Tamoi 1348 196 165 31
JUMLAH 9,666 1,451 Buah 1,245 Buah 206 Buah KESELURUHAN Penduduk Rumah Rumah Rumah
2.1 Kampung Ayer Revitalization Project
This project is part of Ministry of Home Affairs’ Bandar Seri Begawan Master Plan, and its application has been put under National Development Plan (NDP11). The objective of the project is to revamp and revitalize some identified villages in Kampong Ayer, in order to preserve the national heritage, and enhance the safety of the residents whose houses require critical restoration.
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The project costs $45 million dollars. Cost breakdown is as follows:
Phase 1 : $15,000,000.00 Phase 2 : $25,000,000.00 Additional of $5,000,000.00 require for jetty, bridge and sewerage.
The number of houses to be constructed based on phases.
Phase 1 :
KAMPONG RUMAH KELAMIN
Saba Darat A 40 48
Saba Tengah 1 1
Setia Pahlawan 6 6
Jumlah 47 55
Phase 2 :
KAMPONG RUMAH KELAMIN
Saba Tengah 23 41
Saba Laut 6 17
Saba Ujong 14 22
Saba Darat B 67 95
Jumlah 110 175
Total number of houses to be developed will be 157 (Phase 1 : 47 houses and Phase 2 : 110 houses).
The house construction is $200,000.00 including electrical supply, jetty and bridge construction.
The project is expected to start in February 2019 and complete by January 2021.
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3. Taman Mahkota Jubli Emas
Taman Mahkota Jubli Emas was officiated by His Majesty His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam on 22nd October 2017, in conjunction with the 50th Golden Jubilee Celebration of His Majesty the Sultan Dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam Ascension to the Throne.
Initially knowned as the Regeneration of the Sungai Kedayan Eco-Corridor Project, the Taman Mahkota Jubli Emas was implemented under the 10th National Development Plan, driven by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and as the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the National Development Plan (RKN 10). In support and alignment to the Bandar Seri Begawan Masterplan under the Ministry of Home Affairs, the project was implemented by the Department of Drainage and Sewerage, Public Works Department, Ministry of Development. The project site runs along the Sungai Kedayan river mouth near the city’s famous landmark, the Omar Ali Saifuddien mosque and Darussalam Palace to the Edinburgh Bridge.
Taman Mahkota Jubli Emas is envisioned to be the iconic city identity, while reflecting the message of being the prominent waterfront area that promotes the nation’s cultural heritage of the Malay Islamic Monarchy or the ‘Melayu Islam Beraja’. At the same time, the objective of the of the regeneration of the Sungai Kedayan Eco-Corridor Project is to mitigate flood in the Sungai Kedayan catchment, promoting a healthy lifestyle for the public, improving the connectivity both on land and water, environmentally built and to provide a platform for future economic generation development.
The eco corridor of Sg Kedayan is located the over a previously lived suburb of Sg Kedayan consisting of eight villages, namely:
Kampong Bukit Salat Kampong Kuala Peminyak Kampong Penancha Lama Kampong Sumbiling Lama (Ayer) Kampong Sungai Kedayan A and B Kampong Ujong Tanjong Kampong Ujung Bukit Kampung Limbongan
At start of the project, several villages were affected involving the transfer of 168 water village houses, 563 household residents to the new housing scheme settlement in the
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The Taman Mahkota Jubli Emas features attractive elements that showcase the Brunei culture heritage, including:
A. Darussalam Jetty
The Darussalam Jetty is sited on a heritage area that promotes and commemorate the remarkable history of Istana Darussalam, where the Sultan was born and raised. Darussalam Jetty is located at the endpoint of the terrace and is linked directly to the gateway of Darussalam Palace. The Jetty is accessible by residents or tourists using water transport to go to the park.
B. Grand Entrance
The 330m long Grand Entrance next to the Omar Ali Saifuddien mosque is exclusively designed as the grand entrance to the park. The main feature along the road is the linear fountain, which serves as the grand entrance statement enhanced by the hard and soft landscape at both side of the road. Approaching to the heart of the development, where the landscape area is situated with the arrangement of imported and local plants and trees with the panaromic view of the Omar Ali Saifuddien mosque adds to the spiritual ambience of the surrounding. An information panel provides a map of the site and the history of the mosque.
C. Riverfront Promenade
The 1.2 km long Riverfront Promenade features various amenities for health and play activities, as well as other form of outdoor pursuits directly next to the water body. Dedicated promenade for walkers and joggers offers fresh air along the riverside while enjoying the panaromic view of the water village and the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha bridge, enriched by a variety of floral plants and trees such as the Baobab trees that is seventy years ole and can lived to more than a thousand years.
Along the promenade, the floor is carefully design with tiles by Brunei Heritage of “Kain Sinjang” with the mixture of Islamic pattern of geometrical to create the strong relation of the meaning of MIB.
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D. Sultan Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Pedestrian Bridge (Crescent Bridge)
The 3-metre high Crescent Bridge serves as the prominent feature of the pedestrian bridge that symbolizes connectivity between the past, present, and future of Brunei. The bridge with its illuminated crescent not only acts as the iconic feature, but moreover it represents the spatial journey in itself where ones can stroll along and perceive the beauty of Sungai Kedayan from the two attached piers on both ends of the bridge.
4. Other Landmarks
4.1 Pintu Gerbang Sempena Peruspaan
The arch was presented by Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Orang Kaya Di-Gadong Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Mohd. Yusuf in conjunction the Coronation Ceremony of His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam on 1 Ogos 1968.
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4.2 Jam Peringatan / Clock Tower
The clock tower was built on 11 Julai 1959 to commemorate the state visit by the first Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Abdul Rahman, to Brunei Darussalam from 6 July 1959 to 12 July 1959.
The clock tower remains to symbolize the strength and close ties between Brunei Darussalam and the Federated Malay States.
4.3 Masjid Omar 'Ali Saifuddien
The Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque was built on 4 February 1954 following the aspirations and ambitions of Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Waddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, who has placed Islam in the highest place in the life and society of the state by declaring Islam as the official religion of Brunei Darussalam. It was officially opened by of Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Waddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien on 26 September 1958.
The mosque is built on a 5 acres of land adjacent to Sungai Brunei, Bandar Seri Begawan. It is known as one of the most beautiful mosques in Southeast Asia with significant influences in classic Islamic architecture, decorated by gold-plated domes, gold mosaics, marble and colourful glass. The architecture is also influenced by mosques built during the Mughal Dynasty in India which are famous for the hypostyle prayer halls, large foyer entrance, decorated with domes and marble. The Mughal Emperors who ruled India for about 350 years from the early 16th Century, built many of India’s beautiful historical mosques and buildings including the Taj Mahal.
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Alongside the mosque is an artificial lagoon built on the banks of Sungai Brunei across from Kampong Ayer. In the middle of the lagoon is an artificial barge, a replica of the 16th century Sultan Bolkiah Mahligai Barge. The structure was built to commemorate the 1,400th anniversary of the revelation of the first verses of Qur’an (Nuzul Al-Quran).
4.4 Cendera Lambang Kenangan
The Cendera Lambang Kenangan is a monument that is built to commemorate the Golden Jubilee Celebration of the renaming of Bandar Brunei into Bandar Seri Begawan. Bandar Brunei was renamed Bandar Seri Begawan on 4th October 1970.
The monument is located in Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien.The construction of the monument costs over $60,000.00 and was contributed by Brunei Shell Company, and was designed by Architect Idris and local engineers.
4.5 Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar 'Ali Saifuddien
Located at the heart of Bandar Seri Begawan, Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar 'Ali Saifuddien is especially used for national events and ceremonies such as the birthday celebration of His Majesty the Sultan Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the National Day Celebration, Musabaqah Membaca Al-Quran, and the Maulud Celebration of Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu 'Alaihi wa Sallam. It also where Brunei’s Proclamation to Independence was held in 1st
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January 1984.
Previously, Taman Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien was known as “Padang Besar”. It was renamed into Taman Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien in 1983 after Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Waddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien.
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